Hockey: Auburn's Piekarczyk jumps right in by learning to stay back

Halfway through last season, Auburn High coach Glen Bombard approached Derek Piekarczyk about shifting from forward to defense to bolster the Rockets’ blue line. Bombard was skeptical about how Piekarczyk would respond.

“After I asked him, Derek’s immediate response to me was ‘Whatever you need me to do to help the team, I will do,’ ” Bombard said. “Derek has played back there ever since and has done a great job. He is the ultimate team player and one of the hardest working kids we’ve had here in quite some time. His dedication to hockey is unbelievable. He is very physical, and he reads and reacts very well. The only way to get better in this game is by applying yourself, and Derek has done that quite well.”

While Piekarczyk had some growing pains, he is now playing the position with skill and confidence.

“The hardest part in the beginning was to not jump up into the play,” Piekarczyk said. “On offense, I always wanted to be right up there. It was tough at first learning to stay back and watch your forwards do all the work in the zone. But after a while, you realize the puck will come to you and you’ll be able to make plays no matter where you are on the ice.”

Not only has Piekarczyk turned himself into one of the top defensemen in Central Mass, but he is also a first-rate setup man. The Charlton resident leads the Rockets with 13 assists and has scored four goals.

“I just look for the open guy and try to make the best play I can,” Piekarczyk said. “It’s not about who puts the puck in the net. It’s about making sure the puck gets into the back of the net someway, somehow.”

Bombard has run out of adjectives to describe Piekarczyk’s on-ice/off-ice work ethic and leadership that have helped him become such a well-rounded player.

“The way he helps out our other players, especially the younger ones and how he talks to them is why he is a captain for us,” Bombard said. “He’s a great leader and a classy kid. You don’t find too many of those types of kids very often anymore. Derek gets it and knows what it takes to win. He’ll look you in the eye, ask you a question, and wait for an answer.”

Piekarczyk is hoping to play hockey in college and is looking at Framingham State, Worcester State, Westfield State, Salem State and Bridgewater State, with the hope of earning a degree in secondary and/or early childhood education.

After establishing herself at Algonquin Regional as one of the top girl hockey players in the area, Maddie Evangelous was looking for a new challenge not only on the ice, on which she had starred for the Tomahawks since the eighth grade, but in the classroom as well.

Evangelous found that at Worcester Academy.

Evangelous has blossomed since transferring from Hudson High — which co-ops with Algonquin in girls’ hockey — and has started to find her place with the Hilltoppers.

“The transition in terms of schoolwork was difficult at the beginning because I wasn’t used to their system,” said Evangelous, a sophomore. “But hockey-wise, it has been a great transition. I’ve gotten to meet new girls, who like myself, were coming from different locations. It’s been great getting to know my new teammates as people first, then players.”

Evangelous scored 16 goals last season and led Algonquin with 24 points. The Tomahawks finished 16-4-3 and made it to the Division 1 quarterfinals, where they lost to perennial power St. Mary’s (Lynn). Evangelous said she came to Worcester Academy to help gain admission to a quality college and possibly play at a high level of college hockey. In her first season with the Hilltoppers, she has 10 goals and 18 assists.

“We knew she was a good player last year, but she’s taken a bigger jump this season,” Worcester Academy coach Tim Healy said. “Truthfully, it’s been more than I expected. I knew she was a good kid and a very good player, but I never knew how strong a leader she is. Her leadership is off the charts. As a player, no matter who she goes out against, she creates opportunities for herself and her teammates.”

CDL A DELIVERY DRIVERS Home Every Night! Needed for our Worcester Depot! Drive local - No more spending valuable nights away from your family! As a Direct Store Delivery Representative YOU have the opportunity to make a difference with our customers! Provide excellent customer service; interact in a positive manner with our customers; deliver our products to local stores. Be home every night! Work for a Company that has been around for over 80 years! Minimum of 3 months driving experience with CDL A/B; GED or HS diploma required; Must be able to drive a standard transmission. EEO/Veteran/Disability Growing Strong Since1933!